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We noticed Tim DeWall made an interesting comment at his Facebook page about a new set of people coming out of Scientology and reaching out to him and his wife, Sylvia. You may remember the story we did about the DeWalls, and the audiotape that recorded the moment Sylvia was learning that a young ethics officer at the Flag Land Base planned to have her declared a “suppressive person,” forcing her to cut off all of her relationships with other church members. Continue reading Even the local Scientology mission is hiding a horror show of abuse: Kelly Jordan tells her tale
[Coming soon to San Diego?]This summer, we covered the opening of Scientology’s newest Ideal Org in this country, its two new buildings in Harlem. We wrote at some length about the methods that Scientology used to try to keep us from reporting that event, and what fun we had. So which will be the next Scientology “Ideal Org” opened in the U.S.? After a photo we received from a couple of tipsters this week, we think the next David Miscavige grand opening event might happen in San Diego. Continue reading San Diego’s new Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ looks like it’s ready for its close-up
We have some really big stories coming down the pike for you, and we’re also waiting eagerly for the November 29 launch of Leah Remini’s series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. But while we wait for new court documents to come in and other juicy material, we do experience a little downtime. And so we took advantage of it to root around Scientology’s various slick websites. Continue reading Scientology’s websites try a little too hard to convince you that all is right in crazy town
[Michelle Seward and Dror Soref]In Los Angeles Superior Court today, a preliminary hearing is scheduled in the criminal prosecution of two defendants with ties to Scientology who face 75 years in prison each for a bizarre illegal scheme to fund a failed 2009 Simon Baker film, Not Forgotten. Continue reading In court today: Flop filmmakers who met in Scientology face 75 years for Ponzi scheme
[L. Ron Hubbard in Guam]Our helper who tracks down newspaper clippings about L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology continues to find rare gems for us, and we thought we’d share another one with you today. Continue reading At an early age, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard learned how to captivate the press
Our man Rod Keller keeps his mindful watch on Scientology’s social media presence, and that’s once again netted him a dynamite story… In July, Tampa minister Savanna Hartman became Internet famous when her Facebook video, apologizing through tears for her “white privilege,” went viral. It’s now been seen more than 17 million times. Continue reading Scientology saw a tempting target in a Tampa pastor gaining fame for her compassion
Last month, we found ourselves having dinner in some pretty special company. We had flown out to Los Angeles and sat down for a meal with BBC journalist John Sweeney, longtime Scientology critic Mark Bunker, former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder, and the person who had brought us all together, actress, producer, and Troublemaker author Leah Remini. Continue reading Leah Remini schools us on what motivates Scientologists to toe the line
You probably heard the news last night that Leonard Cohen died at 82. And today, you’ll be seeing some really great remembrances of him and the many different chapters of his life as an author, a songwriter, and a performer. (New Yorker editor David Remnick profiled Cohen in a brilliant piece just last month.) Continue reading Leonard Cohen: This awful year strikes again with the loss of a transcendent genius
Last week, we shared a treat with you that had been dug up by one of our helpful correspondents, a February 14, 1966 Daily Mail story that called Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s academic credentials bogus. Continue reading L. Ron Hubbard on the run: When the Daily Mail was hounding Scientology’s founder in ’66
We asked our attorney and webmaster, Scott Pilutik, to help us understand what’s going on with the “First Independent Church of Scientology” and its effort to get a trademark on its name. We reported recently that tax exempt status was granted to FICoS, which is made up of former Church of Scientology members who have broken away from it and want to practice Scientology’s processes independently. But forming a small non-profit is one thing, getting trademark of a name that includes the word “Scientology” is another. Scott helps us understand what’s going on.
Continue reading How a new independent ‘church’ is trying to wrestle away control over the word ‘Scientology’
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